I was never really a huge fan of Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All"...until a remarkable group of students and teachers demonstrated what is possible when we teach the children well and let them lead the way. Ever since the students and staff of an entire school district came together to promote their vision of HOPE, the 1980's hit has become one of my favorite songs. Now, every time I hear it, it reminds me to be grateful for so many things. Not only did the students' passion and determination remind me how I used to be, but I also had the privilege of learning alongside them and together we were able to see the beauty and feel a sense of pride.

This year, in response to a project proposal that was the initial post on this blog, my colleagues and I challenged our students to “be the change” they wish to see at school and in the world. So far, they have gone above and beyond anything we ever imagined. The students began their own movement to create and sustain positive change and they refer to their message as HOPE. In just a few short months, they successfully embodied their positive messages while sharing them with all students throughout the entire district, they have also reminded a lot of people about the true purpose of education, and the best part is that they are just getting started!

Basically, the students are leading the way by encouraging their peers of all ages to embrace the qualities that make them “awesome” as individuals and to realize that those same qualities can be leveraged to create unity as a group who wants to help others and make the world a better place. They did not form a club or set up any sort of specific guidelines for participation, but they collectively created a positive voice for the student body and their message was heard loud and clear. This blog and the embedded links highlight some of their stellar accomplishments, so I hope you can take a few minutes to learn more about these amazing kids because our world is full of so many others just like them!